Continental Shelf Act, 1968

Protection of installations in designated areas.

6.—(1) The Minister may, for the purpose of protecting any installation in a designated area, after consultation with the Minister for Transport and Power and the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, by order, subject to any exceptions provided by the order, prohibit ships from entering without his consent such part of that area as may be specified in the order.

(2) If a ship enters part of a designated area in contravention of an order under this section, its owner and master shall be guilty of an offence unless it is proved that the prohibition imposed by the order was not and would not on reasonable inquiry have become known to the master.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or to both the fine and the imprisonment, and

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine of such amount as the court may consider appropriate or to imprisonment, for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both the fine and the imprisonment.

(4) The Minister may by order revoke or amend an order under this section including an order under this subsection.